Best Offroad SUVs Reviews & Ratings

Offroad SUVs are vehicles that are able to drive equally well on paved surfaces as on gravel or surfaces with differing kinds of terrains. Offroad SUVs are characterized by having a higher ground clearance so as not to get caught on obstacles, a low ground pressure so they do not sink into the ground, and enough traction to keep their wheels on the surface they are traversing. They may also have larger tires and a more flexible suspension. In addition, offroad SUVs are designed with low gearing which enables the available power of an engine to move slowly through challenging terrain. This can be a very low first gear or an additional gearbox that is in line with the first gear. All-wheel drive is also a typical feature of offroad SUVs which is used in a switchable fashion so that only two wheels are used when driving on regular pavement rather than four.

The Ford Explorer is a more popular and one of the best offroad SUVs that is competent on the road yet has a rugged design that is capable of handling almost any terrain better than most in its class. It offers four-wheel drive without low range gearing but with Ford's Terrain Management System that includes hill start assist, hill descent control, and optimizes traction in different conditions.

The Jeep Liberty is another best offroad SUV that is a good-looking vehicle and especially designed for off-road use. It is a compact SUV that is proficient off the road, assisted by skid plates, tow hooks and full-time four-wheel drive. These high marks for its off-road prowess, however, come at the expense of poorer handling under regular road conditions.

Like the Jeep Liberty, the Toyota FJ Cruiser is an offroad SUV with great ability and style off the road and poorer handling on the road. It is a serious contender when off-roading is part of a daily commute or done often. Available in either part-time or full-time all-wheel drive, the vehicle can be purchased with an All-Terrain package to assist in off-roading that includes active traction control and a locking rear differential.

Another leader in the class of best offroad SUVs is the Suzuki Grand Vitera. It is one of the best choices when hitting the trails and is capable at tackling rugged and rocky terrain. It is available in single-mode all-wheel drive which is designed for snowy and wet weather and a four-mode all-wheel drive with a locking differential and low range gearing for handling the rougher terrain.

The Toyota Land Cruiser has been considered one of the best offroad SUVs that is also capable of handling on pavement driving equally as well. It comes with full-time four-wheel drive and low-range gearing as well by a hill start assist and hill descent mode that allows a constant, controllable speed over challenging terrain control to be kept by electronic control of the throttle and brake.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is an offroad SUV substantial off-road capabilities. These have been improved over previous models with the addition of an air suspension system that can raise the vehicle's height and a drive-mode selector that modifies the suspension and powertrain for specific types of terrain. Also included are stability and traction control and a fully independent rear suspension system.

Another vehicle in the Jeep line of offroad SUVs is the Jeep Compass that matches the off-road capabilities of other models in the Jeep line-up. Available for this vehicle is an Off-Road Package that includes off-road ready four-wheel drive system that offers low-range gearing, all terrain tires, engine oil cooler, hill start assist, hill descent control, skid plates, tow hooks, and increased ride height.

The Mercedes-Benz G Class is an offroad SUV that was originally designed as a rugged vehicle for military use that still maintains some of those roots. In addition to a luxurious interior, this vehicle is capable of off-roading on any type of rugged terrain. It is ruggedly built and an additional Electronic Stability program adds to its extraordinary off-road capability.

An offroad SUV that handles well on the pavement and even better off the road is the Land Rover Range Rover Sport. It features a four-wheel drive system and a Terrain Response System that facilitates off-road driving by adjusting throttle response, the ride height of the vehicle, changes in gears and the differentials to optimize driving in varying conditions, such as pavement, sand, snow and gravel.

Another offroad SUV that is not truck-based but is a crossover SUV is the Jeep Patriot. It is a capable offroad SUV with four-wheel drive and an Off-Road Package which includes low-range gearing with the four-wheel drive, all terrain tires, tow hooks, skid plates, increased ride height, hill descent control and hill start assist. There are also larger 17-inch wheels and a driver seat that is adjustable in height.